New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-27
THE PASSAGE OF TIE VEDDER BILL

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THE PASSAGE OF TIE VEDDER BILL.
The Republicans in the Assembly yesterday
did their duty nobly in passing the Vedder
Liquor-Tax bill Every affirmative vote was
Republican and nearly every negative vote
was Democratic. The tally was 6S to %.
Four Republicans only, namely, Reitz of
Brooklyn, Henry and Charles Smith of New
York, and Gallagher of Erie, voted against
the bill. Two, Maurer of Rochester, and
Goerss Of Niagara, were excused from voting.
FifE-twO Democrats cast their votes against
the bill and two Democrats lodged the vote.
The event was fair and square test OF party
tendencies and it once more showed that
whenever any legislation in favor of temper
ance reform Is in issue its success must depend
upon Republican votes, and 1T must count
upon practically solid Democratic opposition.
Tho Republicans in the Legislature have done
well on tho temperance question and have
established strong record. They passed
the High-Liccnsc bill and they have now
passed the Veddcr bill. The first was vetoed
by the Governor on the preteXt that it was
special legislation. The second cannot be
objected to on that ground, and if the Gov
ernor vetocs it he will have to explain TO the
taxpayers Of tho State why he interfcres to
prevent the reduction Of the tay-rate and the
saving of between $3 000,O00 and 81 600 600
to the people of New-YOrk.
In passing the veddcr bill the Republicans
have done an excellent piece of work. There
is no doubt as to the popular approval OF a
measure which colnpcls the saloons to con-
tribute largely to the liquidation Of the ex-
penditures they cause, and which incidentally
involves q diminutiOn of tho drink evil by
driving out Of the business the most mis-
chievous elements in it, A bill moreover
which at once relieves and helps New Y Ork and
the State at large, which puts $1.500.OOO
into the city treasury at the same time that 1t
brings down the State tax rate and discOur.
ages Notwithstanding, appeals TO public
spirit and common sense equally. 1t never
has been pretended by its advocates that the
Nedder bill was an ideal temperance measure.
1t has been claimed simply that it was the
hest that could be done for temperance in the
teeth OF the Executive hostility to every meas
uro not dictated by the rumsellcrs who con-
troll Governor Hill. The circumstances con
sidered, however, il is an elective and com
pIehensive law, and this the Democrats under
stood, and it nerved them to the desperate
resistance they offered The most stringent
orders had been issued from the Executive
Chamber 10 prevent the bill from coming
there Governor Hill perhaps dare not resist
the commands of the rum power hut he per
ccivcs thai he cannot do their bchcsts in this
case without mourning tho indignation and
hostility Of the taxpayers throughout the
State; and it is evidently "a question whether
tho rumsellers can compensate him for the
losses thus cntliled.
The Republicans have done their duty, and
THE TRIBUNE conqatulates them upon their
firmness, persistence and loyalty. The sixty
eight members who voted for the Veddcr bill
on its passage have deserved well of their
constituents and proved thcmselvcs faithful
opponents of Republican principles and pro
gressive and ciyilizing ideas. The fate OF
tho measure Is now in the Governors hands,
and tho qucSton-What will he do with itf-
remains 10 DO aScertained. The general pre-
sumption - that he is too deeply compromised
with tho rum power to act independently even
if his Judgment and his personal interests
prompt him to sign the bill He and his party
are in fact so thoroughly committed TO the
cause of incompetence that the conversion of
Saul of Tarshisn did not involve q more sud
den revulsion than would a change OF front
on their part. Nevertheless we give Gov
crnor Hill credit for so Unconditional and cal
culating regard for his own interests that If
1t DO possible he would, 10 further his ambi-
ton, even pretend a friendship for temperance
reform. As to the public demand or the
public interest, neither can be expected 10
affect him one iota unless he has reason to
apprchend that by defying either or both he
may endanger his political future.